Domestic abuse in the NFL

Domestic violence in the NFL is not a new issue, rather, it has become a reoccurring one.

On the field, players puff their chest out and have to prove just how strong they are to intimidate their opponents, but this macho ego should be left on the field and, most importantly, never be taken home.

In most cases, people believe domestic violence to be the physical assault of the abuser’s romantic partner, however, as seen in the most recent case regarding Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, this is not always the case. According to the New York Times, Hill was accused by his then-fiancée of hitting his 3-year-old son.

Although there was not enough evidence in this case to convict Hill, there have been numerous incidents within the NFL in which the proper amount of evidence has been presented and no punishment has been given.

After the video emerged of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice assaulting his then fiancée, now wife, in an Atlantic City hotel elevator, Rice was only suspended for two games.

Even though Rice obtained a fine and was suspended for two games due to violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, he was still able to attend training camp and all preseason games.

This begs the question what would have happened if there had not been a camera in the elevator and the proper amount of evidence was not presented? Would Rice still be allowed to play football? More importantly, how many Ray Rice scenarios are occurring without repercussion due to a lack of evidence?

Even after footage of the Rice attack was released, the media still presented it to the public as an ‘alleged attack,’ masking the severity of the event and even excusing his behavior because she was antagonizing him.

Let’s face it, the system that is in place in America is misogynistic. The amount of respect the system has for women is outweighed by its love for control, politics and sports.

Additionally, the NFL emerged in a country that has come to terms with the fact that, according to domestic shelters, “one in every four women in the U.S. are victims of domestic violence” and that “women account for two out of every three murder victims killed by an intimate partner.”

The way the NFL handles situations around domestic violence is a glimpse into the worst of society, and instead of fixing the system in a way to prevent new incidents such as the Ray Rice scandal, it continues to sweep it under the rug in hopes that a hefty fine, community service and a few won games will erase any recollection of just how bad a player may have beaten his wife because of how good he is on the field. The most pathetic part of it all is this distraction plan actually works.